Category: Daily Monitor

The defence hearing in a case involving nine people accused of conspiring to defame Pastor Robert Kayanja and trespassing at Rubaga Miracle Centre Cathedral Friday continued before the Mwanga II Magistrates Court with the seventh accused dramatically changing his oath.

The 23-year-old Peter Serugo, who is currently serving a sentence for aggravated robbery at Luzira Prison, informed the court that he would not testify under oath despite having indicated in February that he would give sworn evidence.

Chief State Attorney Jonathan Muwaganya noted the change, saying: ‘He had previously recorded his intention to testify under oath on February 25, 2025. The record should reflect that he has willingly changed his mind.’

Serugo became the fifth accused person to switch from sworn to unsworn testimony, a move attributed to the fear of cross-examination, which tests the credibility of witnesses.

He faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to defeat justice, conspiracy to commit a felony, criminal trespass, and giving false information to police.

While narrating his account, Serugo told court that in 2017, he was living with his mother in Lungujja when he saw Pastor Kayanja on Channel 44 Television distributing school bursaries and inviting youths who had dropped out of school to join church programs.

‘I went there with my cousin after my friend, Joel Karungi, told me that his mother worked at Rubaga Miracle Centre and that the pastor had helped many children return to school,’ Serugo said.

He stated that they attended a night fellowship and were later called among those who wanted to get saved.

‘One time as I was slashing at the church, Pastor Kayanja summoned me to his office. My friend Joel led me there since I did not know where it was,’ he said.

Serugo claimed that during the encounter, the pastor closed the office door, hugged him for six minutes, caressed him, and said he was handsome.

‘He promised me money and foreign travel.’ Serugo told court. He alleged that the pastor later gave him Shs500,000 and told him not to tell anyone.

He further claimed that one night, after a church service, Pastor Kayanja approached him in his office, turned off the lights and made sexual advances towards him.

However, during earlier proceedings, the prosecution presented video evidence showing Serugo and his co-accused confessing to being members of a street gang called Kiffesi who had hoped to reform.

The state contends that during the Covid-19 lockdown, the accused, motivated by money, conspired with another pastor to fabricate allegations of sodomy to tarnish Pastor Kayanja’s image.

Prosecution also cited medical reports from Mulago and Nsambya police doctors, which indicated that the complainants’ anal muscles were intact, contradicting their claims of sexual assault.

Chief State Attorney Muwaganya urged the court to compel the defence to specify how many more witnesses they intended to present.

‘It has been ten months since the defence commenced. We need to know how many witnesses are remaining to ensure judicial efficiency,’ he said.

Trial Grade One Magistrate Adams Byarugaba adjourned the matter to November 6, 2025, when the last defence witness, Reagan Ssentongo, is expected to testify.

At least eight students at Namaserere High School in Buwuni Town Council, Bugiri District, have been discovered to be pregnant, with most in Senior Four, head teacher Patrick Kibuuka revealed.

The teenage pregnancies occurred before the students began sitting their Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) exams, currently underway. The 2025 UCE exams end in early November, according to Uneb.

Speaking at the school’s annual general meeting with parents, Kibuuka described his dilemma over how to handle the situation.

‘I was stuck on what to do next. I couldn’t send them away, but I was concerned about them influencing other students, who might think it’s normal to be pregnant in school. In the end, I decided to let them sit for their final exams,’ he said.

On Friday, Kibuuka partly blamed parents for neglecting to monitor their children, particularly those renting rooms outside the school rather than staying in the boarding section.

‘Parents are at fault here. They rent rooms for their children but don’t monitor their movements. This exposes them to dangers, and such issues could be avoided,’ he said.

Bugiri Resident District Commissioner Paul Kalikwani Makakanyara supported the decision to allow the affected students to complete their exams, but expressed disappointment at parents’ failure to use government-provided hostels.

‘I wonder why parents do not make use of the affordable hostels provided by the government at the school. Instead, they rent outside rooms, putting their children at risk. This is very unfortunate,’ he said.

Bugiri District Education Officer Masitura Tibiwa said teenage pregnancies in local schools are a growing concern.

‘This is not an isolated incident. Even at Iwemba Secondary School, four students are pregnant,’ Tibiwa noted.

She attributed the trend to poverty, observing that students renting rooms often face exploitation from men in nearby trading centers.

‘Parents need to stay connected with their children while they are at school. This lack of involvement is contributing to these problems,’ she added.

The situation comes as Kyabazinga of Busoga William Nadiope Gabula IV was appointed by the United Nations as a Goodwill Ambassador to combat teenage pregnancy.

Several agencies, in collaboration with Busoga Kingdom, are working to involve men in local communities to help prevent teenage pregnancies and reduce schoolgirl dropouts. Awareness campaigns are ongoing across all eleven hereditary chiefdoms in the region to encourage girls to remain in school.

When Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, managing director of M-Pesa Africa, walks onto the stage at the 2025 Fintechs Annual Gathering at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, he starts with a smile and a memory.

‘The last time I was here was almost 18 years ago,’ he says. ‘There was no expressway, no new airport. This was the only big hotel in town.’

He still Googles ‘what to do in Kampala,’ he jokes, finding the same suggestions, Jinja mostly, and laughs at how little has changed.

Young Africans and money

But his tone soon turns global. Lopokoiyit tells a story about his 17-year-old son in South Africa who once called him with a stock tip.

When Donald Trump’s trade threats sent US tech stocks tumbling, the teenager urged him to buy Nvidia shares at $94. Lopokoiyit did, and now they are worth about $182.

The anecdote draws laughter, but his message lands firmly.

‘My son has run my finance account since he was 13,’ he says. ‘Last year he made $25,000, and he is still in high school.’

Young Africans, he argues, are engaging with money in ways their parents never imagined.

‘For them, money isn’t just for sending, it’s for investing. That’s what we must harness.’

By 2050, Lopokoiyit notes, Africa will have 2.6 billion people, 65 percent under 25.

‘That is the largest youth population in the world, with the skill sets to power the globe,’ he says.

Japan’s median age is past 60, and China’s population is shrinking. ‘The best place to be in the world today is Africa.’

Yet, he cautions, ‘technology is a double-edged sword.’ Artificial intelligence could empower the continent, or quietly erase it.

‘If we are not careful, the story of Africa will be rewritten by people in Silicon Valley who’ve never been here,’ he warns. He cites the Cambridge Analytica’s 2018 scandal, when data from millions of Facebook users was used to manipulate elections.

‘If one company could do that, then imagine what is possible now,’ he says. ‘This is a new kind of colonialism; control of the individual.’

Lopokoiyit shifts to the global fintech landscape; cloud computing, APIs, crypto, and AI are blurring the lines between banks and telecoms, citing Nubank in Brazil and Revolut in UK, digital banks each worth more than $70b.

‘They are not just apps, they are buying banking licenses and even telecoms,’ he says. ‘The line between banks and telecoms is disappearing.’

For African fintechs, survival means thinking beyond peer-to-peer transfers to savings, credit, investments, and cross-border payments.

M-Pesa, he says, already handles 220 million transactions daily, five times PayPal’s volume.

Still, global markets value PayPal at about $90 billion, while M-Pesa’s valuation remains far lower.

‘If we were American, our valuation would be ten times higher,’ he says, a frustration and a challenge to Africa to value its own innovation.

Emergency of crypto

Africa already sees $150b in annual crypto activity. Stablecoins moved $18b last year, with Kenya alone drawing $3.3b, more than official remittances.

But Lopokoiyit sounds a warning: ‘Every mobile-money account in Africa is already a stablecoin. For every shilling in M-Pesa, there’s one in a bank. We built this 18 years ago.’

Dollar-based digital currencies, he says, risk eroding sovereignty. ‘If we dollarize our markets, our currencies will weaken, taxes will vanish, and we will enrich companies like Tether and Circle in the US.’

He points to the UAE, which channels all transactions through its own national stablecoin. ‘Africa must do the same, or we will lose control of our money.’

The SME factor

‘Seven out of ten jobs in Africa come from SMEs,’ he reminds the audience.

‘Governments can’t create jobs at that scale; it’s farmers, traders, and boda-boda riders who drive nearly half of GDP.’

Thus, he says, there is need to drive momentum for the section of society that drives job creation.

At M-Pesa, he says, the solution has started with separating personal and business wallets.

‘Now we can build products around them; credit, savings, and insurance, tailored for small businesses,’ he says.

He urges fintechs to read political manifestos, because ‘they often spell out problems worth solving’.

He cites Kenya’s fertilizer subsidy programme, which built on Safaricom technology, enrolled 6.3 million farmers, distributed $400m directly, boosted maize yields by 40 percent, and helped keep inflation under 4 percent.

‘It even stabilized the shilling,’ he adds.

Safaricom has also digitized 18,000 hospitals and health-claims systems, cutting fraud and unlocking valuable health data.

‘What am I doing digitizing hospitals?’ he asks with a grin. ‘It’s data, and data drives opportunity.’

Throughout his presentation, Lopokoiyit balances gravity with humor. He teases regulators who demand local data centres but use Gmail, and jokes about fintechs chasing ‘ridiculous valuations.’

‘The fintech community must build on our platform,’ he says. ‘M-Pesa will open its APIs, agent networks, and compliance systems, [but] I can’t do it all, so build for your customers. We will compete, yes, but the platform will be open.’

His verdict on Kampala

By the time he steps down, Lopokoiyit has painted a future both hopeful and urgent. Africa, he insists, is the world’s next growth engine, but only if it claims its digital sovereignty.

The continent must guard against AI-driven recolonisation, resist quiet dollarisation, and empower SMEs with the tools to thrive.

It must work with governments, embrace innovation, and put young Africans at the center.

‘We have the resources, the culture, and the people,’ he says. ‘The best place to be in the world today is Africa. And the big tech companies know it. If they are not here now, they won’t be big tech in 20 years.’

In Kampala, he’s not just giving a fintech keynote; he is sketching a blueprint for Africa’s digital destiny.

‘The continent is no longer waiting to be told its story; it is already writing it,’ he notes.

It was in Morocco that Uganda’s young footballers first saw what was possible. Earlier in April at their second appearance at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the youngsters made history by becoming the first Ugandan team to qualify for a Fifa tournament.

But that was not only the achievement that left an impression, the way Morocco was shaping the future of its football also wowed the youngsters and their coach Brian Ssenyondo.

That lesson has now become a powerful source of inspiration after Morocco’s U-20 team claimed a historic Fifa U-20 World Cup title in Chile on Sunday night.

Morocco overcame six-time champions Argentina 2-0 in the final. That achievement has come at a moment when the Uganda Cubs who have flown to Dubai to intensify their preparations as they plan to spring some surprises at the 2025 Fifa U-17 World Cup in Qatar.

That image of Morocco becoming the third African nation to lift the trophy is now fresh and firmly etched in their minds.

‘Any coach, any player would want to play in the finals,’ Ssenyondo said.

‘We have to give ourselves the best chance by playing well and winning every game. Who knows where we can reach if we win every game?’

The inspiration runs deeper than Morocco’s fairytale. Uganda qualified for the U-17 World Cup in the country now celebrated for producing champions.

Ssenyondo witnessed firsthand Morocco’s meticulous approach to youth football with a system built on long-term planning and a clear vision for development.

‘I think they deserve it,’ he said of Morocco’s U-20 win. ‘We were there, we saw what they were doing. I believe we can borrow a leaf and I believe we are doing it here also.’

Morocco topped Group C after historic victories over Spain and Brazil before brushing aside South Korea, USA and France in the knockout rounds.

Their triumph, powered by players like Yassir Zabiri, who scored twice in the final and Golden Ball winner Othmane Maamma, proves that African nations can reach the very top when talent meets structure, a model Uganda should emulate.

‘We are headed for better days with the younger age groups because it is the foundation that builds strong walls,’ Ssenyondo said.

Now, the Cubs prepare to face Canada, Chile and France in Group K from November 5-11 with their ambition clear that they want to compete fiercely and possibly stage a surprise like Morocco.

2025 Fifa U-17 World Cup

Host country: Qatar

Dates: November 3-27

Uganda Cubs schedule;

November 5: Canada vs. Uganda

November 8: Uganda vs. Chile

November 11: Uganda vs. France

The National Drug Authority (NDA) has arrested a military officer and a health worker in a special operation targeting theft of government medicines, the authority confirmed on Friday.

The operation uncovered over 150,000 doses of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs stolen from a military health facility and intended for sale in Jinja City, NDA said in a statement.

The officer, who also serves as a laboratory technician at Kabamba Military Health Centre IV, was intercepted at a private residence in Mpumude Town. This publication has withheld his name pending his court appearance

In a related arrest, an enrolled nurse and in-charge of Makoole Health Centre II was detained for allegedly stealing 3,000 doses of antimalarials and 12,500 malaria testing kits, which she had allegedly moved to a private house for sale.

‘After arrests, our team was able to verify from hospital records and managed to link the recovered ARVs, antimalarials and malaria testing kits with the military hospital and health center store documents,’ the NDA statement read.

Both suspects are currently in police custody and face charges of illegal possession of government stores under section 296(2) of the Penal Code Act and illegal possession of classified drugs under section 27(2) of the NDP/A Act.

NDA spokesperson Abiaz Rwamwiri previously noted that some stolen ARVs were being exported to neighbouring countries, including South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Since 2019, NDA has conducted special operations to combat the theft of government medicines, recovering over Shs13 billion worth of drugs and arresting more than 60 suspects, including 40 health officials, a soldier, and a police officer.

The most recent sentencing involved a former drug dispenser at Kayunga Hospital, who received up to four years in prison for stealing over 64,800 doses of ARVs.

The NDA credited the support of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, particularly the Deputy Director of military intelligence, Brig Abdul Rugumayo, and teams from SFC and ISO for providing access to military stores and documents that facilitated the investigation.

The authority urged the public to report suspected drug-related crimes through its toll-free line 0800 101 999, WhatsApp line 0740 002 070, or directly to NDA offices.

‘We continue to work towards breaking the cartels of drug thefts,’ the statement said.

The headline, ‘Over 90,000 Kampala students found with mental health cases in one year’, in the Daily Monitor of October 23, is alarming. And because numbers don’t lie, this is clearly a crisis that deserves urgent and adequate attention and action.

According to Kampala Capital City Authority data, 90,530 cases of mental health disorders were registered between July 2024 and June 2025, marking a 12.2 percent increase. Compared to the previous year. Most common mental health conditions reported in Kampala include epilepsy (29 percent), bipolar disorder (19 percent), schizophrenia (14 percent), substance abuse and alcohol disorders (6.3 percent), and depression (5.3 percent).

Dr Bitjuma Luwedde, a national mental health trainer speaking in regard to these statistics, warned of a worrying rise in suicide cases among students in both secondary schools and higher institutions of learning. He pointed out the rise in the number of suicides and suicide attempts caused by academic pressure, post Covid-19 trauma, family conflict, financial hardship, bullying, and unmet emotional needs. He said drug abuse, sports betting, and addiction to online platforms have worsened the crisis.

What Dr Luwedde mentions here is nothing new. The problem is that we haven’t yet been jolted enough by the state of mental affairs, especially of our young people, who make up the majority of our population, to take effective, adequate action. We must start by appreciating the magnitude of the problem and then attempt to solve or counter it with solutions that match its size.

Dr Luwedde mentions key points of weakness, such as the absence of a coordinated national response, weak community support systems, and limited data.

Surely these numbers speak loud enough for all stakeholders to hear. We must improve, fund and generally prioritise mental health care in the country. Schools and all institutions of learning must budget for mental health care of their students not as a minor footnote in the budget but as the critical issue it now is. Schools must employ or partner with professional mental health practitioners.

Allocating a teacher or two to deal with students’ issues and calling them the school counsellor is good, but it is not adequate to deal with the beast that is mental disorders. The teachers, while well-meaning and with basic psychology and counselling training, might not be fully equipped to deal with the mental health needs in these institutions. This is not limited to students alone, of course.

We all need good mental health, but it will not be achieved if there is no proficient plan and adequate facilitation to achieve it. The KCCA numbers should incite us all to be aware of the need for good mental health and get off our collective laurels to do something.

The journey to the formation of Uganda’s 12th Parliament officially began over the past two days, with more than 1,000 registered voters nominated to contest for 519 parliamentary seats. Most candidates, upon nomination, outlined the issues they intend to prioritise if elected.

These include job creation to tackle rising youth unemployment, improving health services, and ensuring that government schools deliver quality education. According to the official Parliament of Uganda website, a Member of Parliament (MP) has four core roles to fulfil during their five-year tenure.

The first is legislation, where MPs debate and pass laws designed to guide the country’s development. Bills, once passed and signed into law by the President, are implemented by other government organs, including the Executive and Judiciary.

The second role is representation. MPs are expected to voice the concerns of their constituents and bring matters of national importance to the attention of relevant ministers. Thirdly, MPs are responsible for budget scrutiny and approval. They analyse the National Budget, approve domestic and international loans, and ensure that public funds are allocated responsibly.

Core functions

The fourth core function is oversight, where MPs monitor government programmes, flag misuse of funds, and report violations of the rule of law. Committees such as the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (Cosase), the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and the Government Assurance Committee play a key role in this oversight function. Former banker and educationist Arthur Tangaro, who is vying for the Igara East parliamentary seat, believes MPs should prioritise the four roles above all else.

‘Personally, my representation of the people of Igara East will focus on results-based performance, prioritising service delivery through better collaboration and partnerships with government development programmes,’ Mr Tangaro said.

He outlined his core priorities: better access to national resources, transforming smallholder farmers into vibrant agribusinesses, improving education and school infrastructure, enhancing health services and facilities, extending electricity to underserved communities, and promoting improved farming practices and crop seeds.

Mr David Musiri, contesting for Makindye West under the Democratic Front flag, also stresses the importance of fulfilling MPs’ core responsibilities.

‘Once in Parliament, I plan to introduce a Progressive Tax Bill to tax businesses according to earnings instead of the current regressive system, pass a Copyright Bill to benefit creatives, and advocate for a minimum wage,’ Mr Musiri said.

Some candidates, however, also believe MPs can use part of their resources to directly support local communities, such as funding ambulances and other essential services.

So how does a man manage Mulago’s labs by day and Uganda’s golf by night? ‘Discipline,’ he says simply. ‘When I’m at Mulago, I’m fully present. When it’s Union work, I allocate evenings. Our meetings run past 6pm because we’re volunteers. You just learn to know when to do what.’

It is, perhaps, the microbiologist’s precision fused with the golfer’s rhythm- measured, patient, forward-looking. As Uganda eyes bigger dreams in sport and science, Dr. Jackson Were straddles both worlds, steadying his stance, eye on the target.

Like any golfer, he knows it’s never about the last swing, but the next. On most mornings, Were walks briskly through the sterile corridors of Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he heads diagnostic laboratory services.

Career built on serving

His domain is a world of microscopes, cultures, and data, places where tiny organisms dictate life and death. A medical microbiologist by training, he has made Mulago his professional home for five years.

Before that, he spent 12 years at the Medical Research Council based at the Uganda Virus Research Institute. Then came a move to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where he headed diagnostic services and also lectured medical students at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

‘I’ve always been fascinated by how microbes shape our lives and our health,’ he says, settling into the measured cadence of a teacher. ‘But more importantly, how science can be translated into better patient care.’

His colleagues describe him as unflappable, a man who approaches pressure with calm precision. He has published research papers, advised on Ebola preparedness, and sat on key hospital committees. To him, science is not abstract; it is applied knowledge that can save lives. That same discipline followed him out of the lab and onto the golf course. His entry into the sport was at Mbarara Sports Club, where he first served as club captain.

From there, his rise was steady: committee member, vice president in charge of tournaments and development, and finally, in 2023, president of the Uganda Golf Union (UGU), the sport’s governing body. ‘The fraternity has given me overwhelming support,’ he says of his first year in office. ‘We’ve seen active engagement of juniors, ladies, seniors, amateurs, and professionals. Each cluster is growing, competing, and finding their space.’

All about money

Professionals, in particular, enjoyed a packed calendar under his watch. Before the Uganda Open, they tested their skills at seven events across the country- Arua, Mbale, Mbarara, Tororo, Entebbe, and Kampala.

Prize money grew too, with the Pearl of Africa Golf Series offering a Shs20m kitty. The amateur game also benefitted. A high-performance programme, run in partnership with the Royal and Ancient (R and A), is sharpening players’ skills beyond swings and putts.

It teaches mental focus, social etiquette, and professional conduct. ‘Last year’s Uganda Open winner was just 19,’ Were recalls proudly. ‘That’s the fruit of structured development. We’re preparing athletes to think and act like professionals.’

For decades, golf in Uganda carried the tag of elitism, reserved for the well-off, detached from everyday Ugandans. Were wants to change that. On his personal scorecard, he gives himself 85 percent.

Growing broader

The missing 15? Inclusion. ‘That means taking golf into schools, engaging communities near courses, and identifying juniors across regions not just Toro or Lugazi,’ he explains.

‘We want a national team that reflects the whole country.’ Infrastructure is another frontier. Under his leadership, the Union reclaimed the title deed for Masaka Golf Course.

But elsewhere, such as Soroti, encroachment continues to strangle fairways. ‘Every golf course is also an environmental asset,’ he argues.

‘The greenery cools our climate, preserves open space, and adds beauty to our towns.’

Even with progress, challenges remain. Membership in upcountry clubs is low. In Tororo, just 15 active golfers remain- a number too small to sustain course maintenance.

Funding, too, is a perennial headache. Were points across the border to Kenya, where the government invested $2.5 million (Shs9.5b) in the Magical Kenya Open, a DP World Tour event.

Winner for tourism

The payoff, he says, is far bigger. ‘The hotels are full, airlines booked, shops and transport busy,’ he explains. ‘That’s tourism driven by golf. If Uganda hosted a DP World Tour event, everyone would benefit, the hotel industry, agriculture, transport, even insurance and medical facilities.’

It is a pitch he delivers with conviction: golf as a sport, yes, but also as a vehicle for economic growth. At home, he is a family man- married, with three children. Weekends often balance between golf rounds and family church. His wife and children, he says, keep him grounded. Golf itself, he adds, carries lessons that spill into life. ‘You don’t play against opponents. You play against the course- and yourself. It’s a game of rules and discipline, much like science.’

Looking ahead, Were dreams of three things: reclaiming all encroached golf land-to restore courses as community and environmental assets, expanding golf across regions and schools-so juniors from Gulu to Mbale can swing their way into the sport.

He calls on government investment in golf tourism, to place Uganda on the world stage. He says, ‘If we achieved that, Uganda would not only raise golfers but also attract visitors who would leave with stories of our greenery, our wildlife, our culture. Everyone would be a winner.’

Living both worlds

The demands on his time are enormous. Yet Were insists he has found a formula.

‘Our Union meetings start after 6pm because we’re volunteers. My evenings and weekends are for golf. But when I’m in Mulago, I’m fully a microbiologist.’

That balancing act, he says, is powered by discipline and delegation. ‘Leadership is never about doing everything yourself. It’s about building a team you can trust.’ It is a life of dual commitments, one to science, the other to sport, knit together by a common thread: service.

Whether its diagnosing microbes or nurturing golfers, Were works to grow institutions that outlive him. As Uganda seeks to strengthen both its health systems and its sporting profile, Dr. Jackson Were stands at the intersection, a steady hand on the microscope, another on the putter.

Always eyeing the next shot, the next opportunity, the next win.

PROFILE

2000: Joined Medical Research Council (MRC) at Uganda Virus Research Institute

2010: Completed MBA at Uganda Management Institute (UMI)

2011-2018: Head of Diagnostic Labs, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital

2018: Captain, Mbarara Sports Club

2018-2020: Captain, Mbarara Sports Club

2020-2023: Vice President, Uganda Golf Union

2023-Present: Chairperson UGU, Mbarara Cow Circle, Rotary Service (Mbarara, Kajjansi Clubs)

Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party leader, Mr Jimmy Akena Obote, has made it clear that he is not ready to hang up his political boots despite not being nominated to run for the presidency in the 2026 General Election.

The son of Uganda’s two-time president, Dr Milton Obote, who doubles as Lira City East Member of Parliament, also urged his supporters to fight President Museveni up to January 15, 2026.

Uganda’s fast-approaching presidential election will be held on January 15, 2026, and Mr Museveni, 81, who has ruled Uganda under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party for nearly four decades, is running again for another term.

Addressing a rally at the old Akii-Bua Stadium, Lira City, on October 22, 2025, Mr Akena emphasised that his dream cannot be killed or locked away, arguing that he’s committed to improving the health and welfare of Ugandans.

While campaigning for nominated UPC parliamentary candidates, including his wife, Betty Amongi, who is running for the Lira City Woman parliamentary seat, Mr Akena decided to start with a gospel song.

And the key of the song was that ‘my tomorrow must be greater than today. And it doesn’t matter what they do to me, what they say, whatever they do, I am moving ahead for a better tomorrow.’

Mr Akena said he is in politics for a better tomorrow.

‘That is what we do. And as politicians, we use words to sell our message. Now, there are people who are saying Akena has been defeated. There are those who are saying Akena has been locked up, forget about him. I have not given up. Whether you knock me down, I will get up again and I will continue until the end because I am not finished. UPC is not finished, and the [presidential] election of 2026 is not finished,’ he said.

The legislator said despite facing challenges and sharp criticisms, he knows the one who is behind his problem.

‘And the one person who I am targeting now up to January 15, 2026 is Yoweri Museveni. We are going to fight. I am telling every UPC member, this fight is not over. Up to the 15th of January, we are going to fight,’ he added.

‘I will continue, I don’t know if you people remember the Man U (Manchester United) of yesterday, not the one of today. Man U of yesterday, you never write off Man U, even if it’s 88 minutes, Man U is still playing. Until the final whistle goes, you do not stop playing, you do not stop fighting.’

When asked whether they are ready for the battle, supporters raised their hands as they rallied behind Mr Akena, viewing him as a symbol of hope and unity for Uganda.

‘Because Akena is not stopping, Akena is not giving up, Akena is going to go up to the end. At the beginning, when we had the national anthem, I went on one knee. That is what those of us in sports do when we are protesting something. You don’t have to fight anybody, you don’t have to do anything, when you are annoyed and they are doing wrong to you, you get down on one knee,’ he said.

‘And I am now asking all of you who believe Akena should be on the ballot. The next time the national anthem plays and you are there and you are supporting Akena, you show them you support Akena by getting down on one knee. Let them know we are not defeated. Let them know they cannot take Lango for granted. We are here for a purpose.’

As Uganda heads toward the 2026 General Election, voters have voiced strong expectations for the incoming 12th Parliament, calling for a renewed focus on service delivery, job creation, inclusive growth, and accountability.

From congested city markets and youth unemployment to poor health services and neglected infrastructure, citizens are demanding that their next leaders prioritise issues that directly affect their daily lives. In Rubaga Division, Kampala District, residents said while successive Parliaments have made promises, progress on key issues such as healthcare, infrastructure, and employment remains slow.

They want their next Members of Parliament to push for tangible improvements in public service delivery.

Mr John Vincent, a resident of Rubaga, said the division urgently needs a well-equipped referral hospital to ease the burden on Mulago National Hospital. ‘We have an overwhelming population. Our health centres can’t cater for everyone. People travel long distances to Mulago because our facilities lack medicines, equipment, and staff. The next Parliament must increase health funding and ensure Rubaga gets its own hospital,’ he said.

He also urged MPs to lobby for better urban infrastructure, including road rehabilitation, proper drainage systems, and garbage management areas, which he said have suffered from poor coordination among government agencies.

Better working conditions

Market vendors in Rubaga raised concerns about congestion and poor sanitation. Ms Joweria Mukiibi, a trader at one of the division’s busiest markets, said the markets are overcrowded and unsafe for traders.

‘They removed us from the streets and told us to return to the markets, but they are already full. We pay taxes and daily fees, yet we work in unhygienic conditions and make little profit. We need new markets that can accommodate all vendors fairly,’ she said.

She appealed to lawmakers to ensure that funds meant for market development are used transparently and that women and youth traders are supported with the funds.

Beyond health and trade, residents want the next Parliament to tackle youth unemployment and promote policies that attract investment. Mr Steven Musisi, a resident of Namungoona, said: ‘We want leaders who listen and act, not those who only appear during campaigns. Rubaga deserves better health services, clean environments, and fair market opportunities.’ He added that corruption and weak oversight have stalled development projects, and he urged the next Parliament to hold government agencies accountable for every shilling spent. Voters also called for more attention to youth issues. Mr Kawalya John Viane, a resident of Bulange Zone Two in Rubaga Division, decried rampant youth unemployment and asked MPs to legislate policies that improve youth wellbeing.

Business reforms

In Kampala Central, voters’ concerns centre on creating a conducive business environment. Mr Isa Ssekito, spokesperson of the Kampala City Traders Association (Kacita), said businesses are struggling under high taxes, rent, and operational costs. ‘Several businesses continue to close shop due to high taxes and unfavourable policies. We have resolved to go on strike on November 4, over these issues,’ he said.

Mr Joseph Mukono Kato, a second-hand clothes dealer at St Balikuddembbe Market, said the next MP should address the endless market conflicts. ‘Markets meant for low-income traders are being taken over by tycoons who buy stalls and rent them expensively. We want Parliament to intervene,’ he said. Mr Fred Salongo Kawozo, a member of the Federation of Kampala Hawkers and Vendors Association, demanded designated trade spaces for hawkers to reduce constant clashes with law enforcement.

Meanwhile, Ms Minsa Kabanda, minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs and NRM flagbearer for Kampala Central, pledged to work with relevant ministries to address traders’ concerns. ‘I will advcate for improved city road networks to boost trade and ensure more trade spaces for small traders,’ she told supporters at Nakivubo Blue Primary School.

In Kawempe Division, Ms Grace Namirimu, a resident of Makerere, said there is an urgent need to elect leaders who prioritise the health sector by ensuring that every parish has functioning health facilities, including medicines and medical camps, to complement the services at Mulago Hospital. ‘I want a leader who will prioritise our health facilities. We had the late Ssegirinya who had done wonders, opening up free medical services just for the benefit of the people. We need better hospitals and clinics that can serve us without long waits and inadequate supplies. Our health is our wealth,’ she explained. Another locals, Vianey Lutaaya, highlighted the need for leaders who will tackle the rising cost of education, which prevents many children from accessing quality schooling.

Wakiso issues

Mr Hassan Mukungu from Bukasa-Kirinya said MPs must adhere to the Constitution and ensure equitable distribution of development projects. Ms Fatima Nansubuga, LC1 chairperson of Namugongo-Janda in Kira Municipality, said Parliament should prioritise security. ‘In a month, we lose about four people to unknown gangs in Namugongo. We need security lights on the roads, better drainage, and reduced traffic congestion,’ she said.

Nansana

In Nansana, residents highlighted job creation, healthcare, education, and infrastructure as top priorities.